Professionals, 2. May 2024
It has been over 14 years since the iconic UEFA Champions League anthem last rang out at the MHPArena. On 23 February 2010, VfB drew 1-1 in the round-of-16 first leg against a star-studded Barcelona side that would go on to eliminate them by winning the return leg 4-0, en route to the title. The long wait for more Champions League football, however, is now nearly at an end.
Head coach Sebastian Hoeneß’s team have thrilled fans this season with brilliant and above all highly effective football, and have now booked their spot in next season’s Champions League. VfB currently have 64 points in the bag, meaning that with three matches still to play, they are already certain to finish no lower than fifth in the league, and there will be five Bundesliga teams taking part in Europe’s premier club competition directly, without having to go through any qualifying rounds.
These five spots come courtesy of a new format that is coming into force for the 2024/25 season. Thanks to the success that German clubs have had in European competition, the Bundesliga (along with the Italian Serie A) is receiving an additional fifth Champions League berth for the coming season. VfB are therefore already guaranteed one of these spots, regardless of what happens between now and the end of the league campaign.
Alexander Wehrle: “Result of excellent work from everyone involved”
“Stuttgart is going international – our very own VfB will be playing on the biggest stage that European football has to offer next season: the UEFA Champions League!” said a delighted CEO Alexander Wehrle. “Qualifying for this competition, with the promise that it brings of magical European nights for all VfB fans, is the result of excellent work on the part of everyone involved. Together, we have achieved something amazing. While we can all look forward to the coming season, we still want to finish off the current campaign as strongly as possible and show the same commitment and passion in the matches until the summer break. We want to give this already incredibly successful season the finale it deserves.”